Deadline set to comment on Valdosta EPD Enforcement Order

May 27 has been established as the deadline to comment on the Enforcement Order the Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued on Valdosta for sewage spills.

For decades, Valdosta has spilled wastewater into the Withlacoochee River. People downstream, even on the Suwannee River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, worry about fishing, swimming, or even boating, and some say their wells are contaminated by fecal bacteria from these spills. Many had hoped that Valdosta’s big spills were over in 2016 with the new Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant uphill out of the flood plain, plus a Force Main with two Pump Stations. Valdosta says it has spent about $80 million on water system improvements.

Yet the spills continued. The order also reveals a massive fish kill.

“The December 2019 spill was the biggest yet, with no rain, and nothing actually broke. It was a massive failure of supervision,” Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman said in a news release. “Citizens and elected and appointed officials in Georgia and a dozen counties in Florida demanded something be done.”

The Enforcement Order includes a fine, plus many requirements for management and technology.

“Well, I’m glad they are doing the enforcement order, requiring them to get the fixes in place,” said Deanna Mericle of Hamilton County, Fla., who was among the WWALS members who met with the city of Valdosta back in 2015 about these same sewage issues. “I’m not sure what the $122,000 will be used for, but the fine seems small. I just want the problem fixed for good if possible….”

“It’s good to see that the EPD is finally taking this issue seriously,” Suzy Hall, the WWALS testing committee chairwoman said. “I can’t help but feel WWALS’ diligence in testing has been a big part of this action, and must continue regardless of any order for the city to conduct testing.”

The entire 93-page order is on the WWALS website at http://wwals.net/pictures/2020-04-13–ga-epd-vld-enforcement-order.

“This order has been a long time coming. It includes an outline of a sad history of mistakes and neglect. I hope the Order will finally get the City’s attention,” WWALS Science Committee Chairman Tom Potter, a city of Valdosta taxpayer, said.

Comments should be sent by May 27 to Lewis Hays, Manager, Watershed Compliance, Environmental Protection Division, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 1152 East, Atlanta, Ga. 30334 or Lewis.Hays@dnr.ga.gov. You may call (404) 463-4953.

Founded in June 2012, WWALS Watershed Coalition Inc. advocates for conservation and stewardship of the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds in south Georgia and north Florida through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.

Contact Quarterman at contact@suwanneeriverkeeper.org, call (850) 290-2350 or (229) 242-0102, or write to P.O. Box 88, Hahira, Ga. 31632.